Highland Chieftain First Class 29th April 25

[metrail]

I hope I have posted in the right section and this is ok.

Had a wonderful trip on board the Highland Chieftain departing Inverness around 7am, 29th April. I went first class to enjoy the Dine service.
I have provided some loco info but I am no expert.
Passing Inverness Depot there was the 08 shunter and snowplough. Night before I observed a blue pullmam HST.

A few miles we were offered cold drinks so I had an Orange Juice and Water, followed by Coffee offering. No biscuits though.
We passed the Caledonian Sleeper to our left and trundled through to Aviemore where the FULL LNER breakfast was served. Yum , Yum. No toast though.

Aviemore there was a West Coast Class 47 and a Tescos Freight with a 66. Several more observed en route.

Further meal service near Berwick upon Tweed, Sausage dish and very tasty.
The service was superb and extremely happy until Newcastle, then it went downhill to be poor.

See the video here on my youtube channel:

Inverness to London service video

 

[Peeled Apples]

I’ve only done it northound back in HST days, hot food was served around an hour into the journey and after Edinburgh. I think the drinks trolleys came round every hour or so. The service was good throughout.

 

[metrail]

I’ve only done it northound back in HST days, hot food was served around an hour into the journey and after Edinburgh. I think the drinks trolleys came round every hour or so. The service was good throughout.

Service was so good until Newcastle, if not brilliant. I notice in the timetable, the northbound service is dish but southbound is dine. Very strange. It would be a sad day if dine was removed also from southbound. I enjoyed it and planning another trip but not going further south than York. No need as I live in Lincolnshire, but did that just to film it.

 

[WesternLancer]

I did this in first class in GNER days. Dining quality was of another order. More akin to GWR Pullman dining I suppose.

But I’m sure it’s still a good run.

 

[metrail]

There were no spare seats in first. I remember in the late seventies doing the Inverness to Penzance train . That was wonderful.....Bought railcard that included 1 - £10 return ticket anywhere in UK. You could buy more than one railcard in those days

 

[WesternLancer]

There were no spare seats in first. I remember in the late seventies doing the Inverness to Penzance train . That was wonderful.....Bought railcard that included 1 - £10 return ticket anywhere in UK. You could buy more than one railcard in those days

That must have been excellent!